Flat glass production using more than 30% hydrogen

RNS Number : 7537U

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

30 March 2023

 

SAINT-GOBAIN ACHIEVES THE FIRST FLAT GLASS PRODUCTION using MORE THAN 30% HYDROGEN

Saint-Gobain is the first manufacturer in the world to carry out a test production of flat glass using more than 30% hydrogen during Research & Development (R&D) trials at the Herzogenrath site in Germany.

With this world first, Saint-Gobain has proven the technical feasibility of manufacturing flat glass with a significant proportion of hydrogen, which will complement other decarbonized energy sources and will reduce the site's direct CO₂ emissions (scope 1) by up to 70%.

This strengthens Saint-Gobain's position as a world leader in sustainable construction and confirms its leading role in helping to build a carbon neutral economy.

A European R&D program

This technical feat was made possible by an R&D program launched in 2022, drawing on the Group's extensive expertise in combustion, glass quality, ceramic refractories materials and industrial furnace design. The program in question is carried out in collaboration with the independent German laboratory Gas and Heat Institute Essen e.V. (GWI), a specialist in industrial gas technologies, and financially supported by the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia to the amount of 3.64 million euros.

These industrial tests in Herzogenrath have been preceded on a laboratory scale by trials carried out in two research centers in France: Saint-Gobain Research Paris in Aubervilliers and Saint-Gobain Research Provence in Cavaillon.

Analysis of the data from these tests will make it possible to deploy the use of hydrogen in the Group's floats in the decades to come, when low-carbon hydrogen is available in sufficient quantities.

This breakthrough innovation marks a new milestone in Saint-Gobain's roadmap towards carbon neutrality in 2050. It complements R&D initiatives on the electrification of glass melting and notable achievements, such as the world's first zero-carbon production of flat glass at Aniche in May 2022, thanks to 100% cullet and 100% decarbonized energy (biogas).

ABOUT SAINT-GOBAIN

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures
and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization
of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group's commitment is guided by its purpose,
"MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME".

€51.2 billion in sales in 2022

168,000 employees, locations in 75 countries

Committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain,

Visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on Twitter @saintgobain

 

 

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